As any homeowner knows, air conditioners are a vital part of making sure your home is comfortable during the hot summer months. But have you ever wondered how often your AC unit should be kicking on? AC units are designed to cycle on and off as needed in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, but there are a number of factors that can affect how often your AC unit turns on. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the things that can cause your AC unit to turn on more or less frequently, as well as some signs that there may be something wrong with your AC unit.
How AC Units Work
AC units work by cycling refrigerant through a system of coils. When the air conditioning is turned on, the coils in the AC unit absorb heat from the air inside your home. This is done through the use of refrigerant. The refrigerated air is then dispersed throughout your home, thus cooling it down. The hot air is released outside, using hot coils from the condenser. The AC unit then starts the cycle over again, drawing more heat from the air inside your home to expel outside. AC units are designed to turn on and off as needed in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. However, there are a number of factors that can affect how often your AC unit turns on.
There is not a set amount of time designating how often your air conditioning should kick on. They actually will turn on when they are needed, and then they should turn back off until your home reaches an improper temperature. Let’s look at some of the factors that will cause your air conditioning to turn on so you know if your air conditioning is turning on and off properly.
What Causes Your AC to Turn On
Factors that can cause your AC unit to turn on more frequently include:
- Hotter weather: Obviously, if the air is hotter outside, your AC unit is going to have to work harder to keep your home cool.
- More people in the house: More people in the house means more body heat, which can cause the temperature in your home to rise. As a result, your AC unit will turn on more frequently.
- Sun exposure: If your home is exposed to direct sunlight, it’s going to be warmer inside, which will cause the AC unit to turn on more frequently. Your home will have more sun exposure if you have a lot of windows, especially if you do not have curtains or blinds.
- Poor insulation: If your home is poorly insulated, heat will be able to move more easily, causing the AC unit to turn on more frequently.
On the other hand, the factors that can cause your AC unit to turn on less frequently include:
- Cooler weather: If it’s cooler outside, your AC unit won’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool. So, if it is not summertime, your air conditioner likely won’t turn on as often.
- Fewer people in the house: Fewer people in the house means less body heat, which can cause the AC unit to turn on less frequently.
- Shade: If your home is in the shade, it’s going to be cooler inside, which will cause the AC unit to turn on less frequently. If your home is in the shade or if you are keeping your curtains closed in your home, the interior has less sun exposure.
- Good insulation: If your home is well insulated, heat will be less likely to escape, causing the AC unit to turn on less frequently.
Signs Something is Wrong with your Air Conditioning Unit
There are a few signs that there may be something wrong with your AC unit if it’s turning on too frequently. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to call a professional for AC repair:
- The AC unit is cycling on and off more frequently than usual.
- The AC unit is running for longer periods of time than usual.
- Your AC unit is not cooling the house as effectively as it used to.
- There is water leaking from the AC unit.
- The AC unit is making strange noises.
If Your AC Unit Breaks
If you’re concerned about your AC unit turning on too frequently, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it. Some tips for preventing your AC unit from turning on too much include:
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Keep your windows and doors closed: This will help keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
- Use fans: Fans can help circulate the air in your home and make it feel cooler, which can help reduce the amount of times your AC unit turns on.
- Install shades or blinds: This will help keep the sun from heating up your home, which can cause the AC unit to turn on more frequently.
- Upgrade your insulation: This will help keep the heat from escaping your home, which can cause the AC unit to turn on more frequently.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your AC unit is running efficiently and not turning on too frequently. However, if you notice any of the signs that there may be something wrong with your AC unit, it’s important to call a professional for AC repair. A professional will be able to diagnose the problem and get your AC unit running properly again.
Contact Coastal Home Services for Air Conditioning Concerns
Do you have concerns about how frequently your air conditioning unit is cycling on and off? Are you located near Morehead City, North Carolina? If so, contact us here at Coastal Home Services! We are the number one provider for air conditioning and heating services here on the Crystal Coast. As a locally owned and operated business, we have been serving the area since 2007. No matter what your question or concern is, our certified technicians are able to help you find the answer.
Contact us today by filling out the form below, or give us a call at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
